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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 4

Mr. Balance, we understand, is expected in Wellington to-day to join the Ministry. His accession to the Grey party is calculated to strengthen it. His speeches last session were moderate and judicious; indeed from their tone one can hardly think he would be inclined to go the whole length with our' somewhat erratic Premier, or consent to act entirely at his dictation. Time alone can tell how he and the great pro-consul will pull together. Ninety births and 63 deaths were registered in Wellington during the past mouth. During thecorrespondingperiodof theprevious year the births were 63 and the deaths 31. The populotion has greatly increased here during the past twelve months. ' There will be a sitting of the Supreme Court in banco this morning. The following cases are set down for hearing Schultze v. Corporation of Wellington, rul e nisi; Orbell v. Mountain, on appeal; Wilson v. Lawrence, demurrer ; Bank of New Zealand v. Wylde, motion for new trial; Davis v. Lyon, motion for: decree, and also motion by defendant for dismissal of action.

The ex-Mayor, who it was expected would have given evidence yesterday before the committee appointed to inquire into the Corporation Waterworks contract, is absent in the Wairarapa District, but is expected to return to town early next week. The Beohabites of Wellington, we understand, intend to make the 22nd iust., the anniversary of ' the colony, a regular gala day. They have engaged ; the Basin Deserve for sports, and have secured the services of a firstclass band. The sports ; introduced will be novel and amusing, and in addition every person paying for admittance will be entitled to a ticket in a grand art union, the chief prizes of which will consist of sections of land, sewing mashines, silk dresses, saddles, tea and coffee services, &c., &o. The whole affair promises to prove a great success, more especially as it is intended as a compliment to the Grand Officers of the Good Templars, who hold their sessions in Wellington at that time. Full particulars will be advertised in a day or two. Meetings of creditors in the estates of O. Main waring, of Pahautauui, storekeeper, and G. Bowriug, of Wellington, baker, were to have been held yesterday, but there was not a sufficient number of . creditors present in either case to make a quorum, and the proceedings consequently lapsed. :

Notice is given that the drawing of the prizes in the art union in aid of the Catholic schools is unavoidably postponed until the 18th March. Mr. Whitelaw begs to acknowledge the receipt of a number of illustrated papers and periodicals from his Worship the Mayor for the use of the patients at the Lunatic Asylum. The lease of the vacant piece of ground adjoining the Reohabite Hall, Manners-street, was sold yesterday by Mr. Sidey at the satisfactory figure of £3O per annum. The time ball did not fall yesterday, although it was a rating day, in consequence of a slight defect in the lifting gear, which has been thoroughly repaired. The ball will drop truly for chronometer time to-day, according to the notice in our shipping list. A burlesque on the opera of “ II Trovatore” was produced at St. George’s Hall last evening, passing off most -successfully, Mr. Hydes as Azucena being extravagantly funny. Misses Pender, Nye, and Stoueham acted their respective parts to perfection, all the pieces being excellent. The harlequinade was again produced, with the grand transformation scene. To-morrow the burlesque will be repeated, concluding with the comic pantomime and harlequinade. The music throughout was played excellently by Mrs. Palmer. The Dunedin City Council has been threatened with an action for damages under peculiar circumstances. A man named Alexander Wyllie, coming in from the agricultural show at Forhury to Dunedin, was accompanied by his dog, an animal that he valued at £2O. The dog got into a ditch near the gasworks, from the effects of which, the owner alleges, it died, the ditch being full of tar. Mr. Wyllie now claims compensation, or gives the Council the alternative of an action for damages. In reference to the Interprovincial Regatta, to be held at Wanganui, the Chronicle of the 31st December, says :—Our local oarsmen evidently look upon the champion events in the approaching contest as af oregone conclusion, and wisely intend to husband their resources with the view of securing some of the prizes in the minor contests. A considerable amount of interest is being excited with regard to the whaleboat race. In addition to outside entries, there will be a keen struggle between local crews. The Union Club were early in the field in the search for a boat that might be expected to hold its own against all comers, and in the Danger they have secured a boat with a reputation second to none in Hew Zealand. Should they fail in securing first place, the crew will have to hide their diminished heads. Nothing daunted by the appearance of Danger, the Volunteer Dire Brigade mean to have a try for the money, and with that intent have just procured, by the Wallace from Nelson, the whaleboat Cutty Sark, which, with a scratch crew, pulled second to the Danger in the Champion Whaleboat Race at Nelson last year. She is said to be a firstclass boat, fitted with sliding seats and all the latest improvements. At the Nelson Regatta, on last Boxing Day, she was the winner in the Champion Whaleboat Race, the Volunteer Whaleboat Race, and the Volunteer Cadet Race. According to the local papers, the Thistle, the crack Nelson boat, was not even a thorn in her side, being completely out-paced. It is evident that between the crews of these two boats there will be a keen -struggle for the premier position when the ’ eventful day arrives.

A recent issue of the Inant/ahua Times says: —“ A number of the friends of Mr. W. B. S. Hickson met at McGaffin’s Hotel on Monday evening last, for the purpose of saying a word of good-bye to that gentleman upon the eve of his departure from the district. Mr. Warden Shaw occupied the chair, and amongst those present were the. County Chairman, Messrs. Campbell, Mouteith, Trennery, Lewis, Reid, Moss, McLean, Bayfeild, Davies, Hogg, Rowlandson, Willcox, Potts, and other gentlemen. The Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening in suitable terms, expressed the regret felt that Mr. Hickson should have been so soon called away from the district, remarking that the business of a banking institution could not but suffer by too' frequent changes. He spoke in high terms of praise of the guest’s many estimable qualities, and trusted that when some other of the banks were established in the district we should find Mr. Hickson once more installed in the position for which he had displayed so much fitness. Mr. Hickson, in returning thanks, said he could not himself but regret his early departure. During his short stay here he had made many warm friendships which he was loth to break. Circumstances had, however, arisen which compelled him to take the course be had. He did not consider the bank had acted fairly towards him, and he had therefore tendered his resignation. On behalf of himself and Mrs. Hickson he thanked the company for their kindly expressions. Mr. Mouteith, in responding to the toast of “ The Banking Interest,” said he was glad to have the opportunity of paying a tribute of praise to Mr. Hickson’s sterling qualities, not less as an efficient bank officer than for his good social qualities. Mr. Hickson had of his own free will relinquished his connection with the National Bank ; but wherever he might go he would carry the esteem and well wishes of his old comrades, who desired for him every success. Mr: Campbell having responded, a number of other toasts were proposed and suitably acknowledged, and a number of songs having been sung the company separated at twelve o’clock, after spending a very pleasant evening.” The acclimatisation of salmon in New Zealand waters promises to be a great success. Mr. J. C. Firth, writing from Ohiuemuri on the 17th ult. to the Thames Advertiser, says ; —“ May I ask you to state, for the information of your readers, that I started this morning in the steamer Durham with 8000 healthy salmon fry, which I located, with a small average of loss, as follows :—I2OO in the Hikutaia Stream, 5300 in the Thames River (Ohinerauri junction), and 1500 in the Ohinemuri River. I have been greatly aided by Captain Somerville and owners and crew of the steamer Durham, Captain Burniugham kindly placing his smart steamer Ruby at my disposal, Captain Dalton and crew lending me every assistance. The Hon. James Williamson, Mr. D. B. Thornton, and Mr. Major, my fellow-passengers, helped me in the enterprise. On my arrival at GrahamstownT received a very handsome offer of help from Mr. Brodie and the Thames County Council. They placed Mr. John Gibbous at my disposal, who rendered me valuable assistance in the work. Mr. C. F. Mitchell, of the Thames County Council, was present at the location of the Ohinemuri portion. To all those gentlemen my very hearty thanks are due for enabling me to accomplish in this hot weather a very difficult undertaking so successfully.” The Poverty Bay Herald of the 29th inst. says :—“ It is our sad duty to record a painful accident which happened to Mr. Arthur Greene, son of Mr. W. S. Greene, of , Makaraka, on Christmas morning. It appears that Arthur Greene was bringing in a horse which had got out of a paddock, when the animal he was riding commenced bucking, and eventually threw his rider heavily on the head, rendering, him insensible. Fortunately a friend was in company with him, and he promptly obtained assistance, when the poor fellow was taken home, and Dr. Pollen immediately sent for. The sufferer had not gained consciousness last evening, and we hear that Dr. Pollen holds out very little hopes of his recovery.” The Nao Zealand Herald of December 22 relates the occurrence of a shocking and fatal accident at Tauhoa, near Port Albert. It appears that a child named George Turner and some other children were playing at “ balance ” upon a log of timber. The little boy Turner was 1 riding on the log, when it rolled over upon him. To make matters worse, the child’s parents were from home ; but the other children, after recovering from their scare, managed to get the log off the body of their playmate. Medical assistance was sent for and obtained. It was at one* discovered that the poor child had sustained serious internal injury. Ho lingered until Thursday, three days after the accident, when he died. A coroner’s inquest was held on the body before Mr. J. Shepherd, J.P. The jury found a verdict of “Accidental death.”

, A serious aacident, says the Napier Telegraph of the 27th ult., occurred yesterday at Waipawa to a man in the employ of Mr. Joseph Price, whose name we have , been unable to learn. It would appear that the man, with four others, were on horseback, and were galloping through the township. By some means he fell off his horse, and when on the ground the animal kicked him on the forehead. Dr. Todd was in immediate attendance, and had him removed to a hotel, where he still lies in an unconscious state. It is feared that the blow has caused a concussion of the brain.